Howard j



H. J. FLANNERY.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. DEC. I4. 1918. 1,312,781. PntentedAug.12,1919.

HOWARD J'. FLLANNECRY, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA,

BOOT'.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 12, 1919.

Application led February 1G, 1918, Serial No. 217,481. Renewed December14, 1918. Serial No. 266,810.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, HOWARD J. FLANNE-RY, a citizen of the United States,and resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Boots; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription thereof.-

My invention. relates to rubber boots and more particularly to anover-shoe boot adapted to be worn over the ordinary shoe and which has aflexible upper portion adapted to extend over the leg of the wearer. Ithas for one of its main objects the provision of such a device that maybe light in weight, durable and water proof, and is particularlydesigned for use in the trenches during war time, but which may be usedfor lany purpose requiring a water proof Covering for the foot and legof a person.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide an upper orlegportion I of light, water proof and flexible material adapted to fitthe leg of the wearer, substantially in the manner of a trouser leg, andprovided with an enlarged or extended portion adjacent its lower end andto the rear and at substantially the ankle line to allow the foot of thewearer to readily enter the foot portion of the boot, while anotherobject is to provide means for taking up and tighteningthe enlargedportion so as to cause it to fit closely to the ankle.

Still another object of my device is to so construct the sole of my bootso that the outer or water proof layer may be removed when worn and anew one applied in a similar manner as in repairing just at the presenttime.

Other advantages such as durability, lightness` cheapness in manufactureand a general improvement in the art, will be brought out in thefollowing specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. a

It will be readily understood that although I have shown and describedone particular and preferred form of my'invention that various changesand modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claimswithout departing from the -spirit of my invention.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved boot;

Fig. 2 is a back View of the same;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the boot 1n use; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 designatesthe outer or Water proof sole of my boot preferably composed of rubber,which is secured to an innerv sole 2 of leather, fiber or the like. The

lleg or upper portion'3 of my boot is prefprovide for the easy access ofthe foot of the wearer into the foot of the boot 4. This portion 5 has astrap 6 or other suitable means for lapping or folding it over on theleg portion adjacent the ankle of the wearer and securing it in positionby the buckle 6 so as to cause a close-fitting ankle portion. Suitablestraps 7 and 8 having suitable securing means such as buckles 9 and 10,respectively, are secured to the portion 3 to hold it in a tightenedposition or folded l around the leg to cause a close-fitting structure.The strap 7 is preferably spaced about centrally between the knee andthe foot portion and the strap 8 is preferably directly above the knee.

Other suitable means such as the strap 11 and a belt strap (not shown)can be see" cured to the upper edge of the portion 3 to prevent adownward slipping of such flexible portion when in use. I

Any other suitable or convenient wrapping, such as a spiral wound strapsimilar to puttee straps or a strap wrapped similar to a sandle st rap,may be used but it is referable to use straps as described and s own indetail.

My over-shoe boot is particularly designed, as before stated, for trenchwear as such trenches are oftti'mes partially filled with water vr'andat least most of the time are damp and muddy, thereby causing theoccupants of such trenches to have constantly wet feet. During coldweather persons in the trenches having wet feet are subject to colds andother ailments, but more particularly are liable to have their feetfrozen due to such dampened condition and the ordinary construction ofrubber boot being too cumbersome, bulky and heavy to be of practical usein the trenches, besides being prohibitively expensive. The ordinaryconstruction of boot is also made and designed to be worn Without ashoe, While my boot or over-shoe boot is constructed and designed to beWorn over the ordinary shoe of 'the wearer, thereby adding to hiscomfort and Warmth, and positively preventing Wet or damp feet. Afurther advantage of my boot is that it is very light, Weighing butslightly over a pound, and fits closely to the leg so as not to hindermovements, Besides, it is very cheap to manufacture, and easily placedupon the foot and leg.

Having thus described my invention, What l claim is l. A boot of theclass described comprising a comparatively stiff Waterproof soleportion, a flexible upper portion of light, thin and waterproofmaterial, said upper portion being extended outwardly or enlarged at theback above the heel line, said enlarged portion being adapted to befolded over upon the ankle portion of the upper, and means for holdingsaid folded enlarged portion in position.

A boot of the class described comprising a comparatively stiffWaterproof sole portion, a flexible upper portion of light, thin andWaterproof material, said upper portion being extended outwardly orenlarged at the back above the heel line, said enlarged portion beingadapted to be folded over upon the ankle portion of the upper, means forholding said folded enlarged portion in its folded position, and meansfor tightening and holding the upper portion to the leg below and abovethe knee.

3. A boot of the class described comprising a comparatively stift"Waterproof sole portion, a flexible upper portion of light, thin andWaterproof material, said upper portion being extended outwardly orenlarged at the back above the heel line, said enlarged portion beingadapted to be folded over upon the ankle portion of the upper, and astrap secured to said enlarged portion for holding said portion in itsfolded position.

e1. A boot of the class described comprising a comparatively stiffwaterproof sole portion, a flexible upper portion of light, thin andWaterproof material, said upper portion being extended outwardly orenlarged at the back above the heel line, said enlarged portion beingadapted to be folded over upon the ankle portion of the upper, a strapsecured to said enlarged portion for holding said portion in its foldedposition, and other straps for tightening and holding the upper portionto the leg or the wearer below and above the knee.

lnl testimony whereof, l, the said HOWARD J. FLANNERY, have hereunto setmy hand.

Hip/@YARD J. FLNNERY. llVitnesses:

SAML BENWELL, VERNON SHnFrinLn.

